Workplace Charging Scheme: A Complete Guide for Businesses
Key Insights
The financial impact of employee turnover is substantially higher than many businesses realise, with Oxford Economics estimating replacement costs at approximately £30,000 per employee—encompassing not only direct recruitment expenses but also productivity losses, knowledge gaps and cultural disruption.
Corporate sustainability initiatives have emerged as powerful retention tools, with research indicating that 65% of UK employees consider environmental stance in employment decisions, and nearly half would accept lower compensation to work for environmentally responsible organisations.
Electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes represent a particularly effective retention strategy that creates a mutually beneficial arrangement—delivering significant financial savings (20-50%) for employees whilst simultaneously advancing corporate sustainability goals and creating a natural incentive for longer-term commitment through multi-year agreements.
As more UK companies transition to electric vehicles, understanding government-backed support programs becomes essential. The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) offers businesses a valuable opportunity to install EV charge-point infrastructure at a reduced cost.
This guide explains everything organisations need to know about accessing and benefiting from this government subsidy.
What is the Workplace Charging Scheme?
The Workplace Charging Scheme is a government-backed initiative administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). Designed to encourage EV adoption across the UK, this incentive program provides financial support to businesses installing charging points at their premises.
The scheme offers:
Up to 75% off the upfront purchase and installation costs of workplace charging stations
A maximum of £350 per socket
Support for up to 40 charging sockets per applicant
This makes it significantly more cost-effective for employers to support the growing number of electric car drivers within their workforce and helps subsidise the transition to sustainable transport.
Who Can Apply for the Workplace Charging Scheme?
The WCS is accessible to a wide range of organisations looking to qualify for business support. Businesses of all sizes can benefit, as the scheme will cover both small startups, and large corporations. Charities and public sector organisations are also eligible to apply.
In the accommodation sector, small accommodation businesses providing facilities for guests (hotels, B&Bs, holiday rentals) are able to make use of the workplace charging scheme, with commercial and residential landlords seeking to provide infrastructure for tenants also being eligible.
Tenants, on the other hand, should apply for the The Electric Vehicle (EV) Chargepoint Grant.
This inclusive approach ensures that electric vehicle infrastructure can expand across various sectors of the economy, making EV charging more accessible to staff, fleet vehicles, and visitors alike.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Workplace Charging Scheme voucher, your organisation must meet several criteria.
Your business must have dedicated off-road parking available for staff, fleet vehicles, or visitors. The parking must be associated with your business premises. You must use an OZEV-approved installer, and compliant charging points, and you must have the legal right to build charging facilities at the property.
These requirements ensure the scheme benefits organisations genuinely committed to supporting electric mobility and sustainable transport policy.
How the Workplace Charging Scheme Works
The WCS operates through a straightforward voucher-based system designed to facilitate quick implementation:
Application: Businesses apply online through the government portal
Assessment: OZEV reviews your application against eligibility criteria
Voucher Issuance: Successful applicants receive a workplace charging scheme voucher code, valid for 180 days
Installation: The voucher is presented to an approved installer who will claim the grant
Discount: The subsidised amount is deducted directly from your final invoice
This process simplifies accessing financial support while ensuring quality installations from qualified professionals who can efficiently integrate charging solutions into your existing infrastructure.
Benefits for Businesses
Implementing workplace charging through the WCS offers multiple advantages beyond just the immediate financial incentive.
Financial Benefits
Aside from the discount on upfront installation costs, installing workplace charging creates the potential for salary sacrifice for EV charging arrangements with employees. Companies can also receive tax benefits through capital allowances on EV infrastructure, and reduce their fleet operating costs by switching to EVs.
Employee Benefits
The ability to charge at work has the potential to attract and retain staff who drive electric vehicles, as charging provisions make it easy for staff to plan ahead, and get the most out of their vehicle by providing a valuable workplace perk that helps employees manage charging costs.
In addition, workplace charging is a massive stepping stone in supporting employees who want to transition to electric vehicles through a salary sacrifice electric car scheme. It demonstrates employer commitment to green initiatives, and acts as a benefit for your team.
Environmental Benefits
Workplace charging reduces your business's carbon footprint with eco-friendly infrastructure, while supporting corporate social responsibility policy goals, and helping meet sustainability targets.
With a ban on new petrol and diesel cars being imminent, a workplace charging scheme can prepare your business for an electric future as the UK moves toward net-zero emissions.
Application Process for the Workplace Charging Scheme
Following these steps will help ensure a smooth application to claim your business support:
Research and Planning: Determine your charging needs and potential locations for scalable installation
Site Survey: Engage with an authorised installer to assess your premises
Application Preparation: Gather necessary documentation about your business and parking facilities
Online Application: Complete the application form through the government website to apply for the incentive
Voucher Receipt: If eligible, you'll receive your voucher code via email
Installation Scheduling: Book your installation with an approved installer who will implement the infrastructure
Completion: The installer claims the fund and deducts it from your invoice
The entire process typically takes a few weeks from application to installation completion, providing an efficient pathway to establish charging facilities.
Considerations After Installation
Once your workplace charging points are installed, there are several ongoing factors to consider:
Operational Considerations
Develop a clear usage policy for staff, visitors, and guests to ensure fair use. Decide whether charging will be free or fee-based as part of this. You may choose to subsidise charging - which is especially beneficial to accommodation-based businesses such as B&Bs. Alternatively, at-cost, or for-profit implementations will ensure that your business does not lose money by providing this perk.
Implement booking systems if demand is high as this will prevent conflict and ensure a fair and reliable system. Equally importantly, establishing a maintenance schedule will ensure reliable and efficient operation.
Financial Considerations
Explore options for electric car charging tariffs, and how charging costs will be tracked and managed long-term. Both tariffs and cost analysis may be simplified and improved through the installation of smart chargers.
Setting out plans to expand provision of chargers as EV adoption increases is a useful exercise to complete from the start - as it will help to future-proof your business, and keep it ahead of the competition.
Lastly, review your businesses insurance coverage to account for the newly-installed charging equipment. This will ensure that your business is not left in a poor financial situation due to unexpected events.
Integration with Other EV Initiatives
Many businesses integrate workplace charging with other electric vehicle initiatives such as fleet electrification programs for sustainable business transport, company car schemes featuring electric vehicles, or a dedicated EV salary sacrifice scheme - such as The Electric Car Scheme.
Your workplace charging scheme should also be integrated with wider carbon reduction strategies for your business, if applicable. This is because workplace charging will have a massive positive impact on helping your business reach its ESG targets - especially if coupled with other EV initiatives.
This holistic approach maximises the benefits of electric vehicle adoption across your organisation.
Maximising the Benefits of Workplace Charging
To get the most from your workplace charging installation:
Promote Availability: Ensure staff and visitors know about the charging facilities
Monitor Usage: Track utilisation to inform future expansion needs
Gather Feedback: Learn from user experiences to improve the service
Stay Informed: Keep up with developments in EV chargepoint technology
These steps help ensure your investment delivers lasting value for your business and employees while supporting your sustainability policy.
The Workplace Charging Scheme and Salary Sacrifice
For businesses looking to maximise employee benefits, combining workplace charging with an electric car salary sacrifice scheme creates a powerful package. The electric car scheme UK employers can offer provides substantial savings for employees while helping businesses meet their green objectives.
Through salary sacrifice, employees can acquire an electric car through gross salary deductions, saving on income tax and National Insurance. When paired with subsidised workplace charging facilities, this creates a comprehensive solution that addresses both vehicle acquisition and everyday charging needs in a cost-effective manner.
Conclusion
The Workplace Charging Scheme represents a significant opportunity for UK businesses to support the transition to electric vehicles while benefiting from government funding. By reducing the installation costs of charging infrastructure, the scheme helps organisations prepare for a future where electric cars become increasingly dominant.
For businesses considering this step, the process is straightforward, the benefits are substantial, and the contribution to sustainability goals is significant. Whether you're looking to support existing electric car drivers among your staff or encourage more employees to make the switch, the Workplace Charging Scheme offers a practical, flexible and cost-effective solution.
Ready to explore how electric vehicles can further benefit your business? Discover how the company electric car scheme can work alongside workplace charging to create a comprehensive and innovative EV strategy.
As the UK continues its journey towards net-zero emissions, these incentives are likely to remain generous, making now the perfect time for businesses to electrify their fleets.
For more information on how The Electric Car Scheme can help your business implement a cost-effective salary sacrifice programme for electric vehicles, book a demo today.
Last updated: 30.04.25
